What is a Psychiatric Advanced Directive (PAD)?
Recently a new and important bill was signed into law. Georgia House Bill 752, also known as the Georgia Psychiatric Advance Directive (PAD), is a forward-thinking law that empowers individuals to take control of their lives and health care through proactive decision-making to address their unique mental health needs and situations.
This law is an important development for Georgia residents who have experienced a mental health crisis, have a mental health diagnosis, or have a family member with a mental health diagnosis. HB 752 allows Georgia residents to plan and maintain their independence when it comes to treatment and care.
Where we stand
NAMI believes that all people with mental health conditions deserve access to support that promote wellness. NAMI supports public policies and laws that encourage the development and use of psychiatric advance directives (PAD).
Why we care
A PAD is a legal document that details a person’s preferences for future mental health treatment or names an individual to make treatment decisions if the person is in a crisis and unable to make decisions.
While PADs have been around for years, they aren’t often used in clinical settings. Many people with mental illness, their families, and health professionals are not familiar with PADs. Currently, only 25 states have laws that allow them.
For states that do not have laws, individuals can still draft a PAD under the more general statutes connected to health care directives or living wills. However, a PAD is more beneficial because of the unique mental health care and treatment issues. These issues include medication preferences, inpatient treatment considerations, and the reality that a person can experience changes in their wellness over time.
There are numerous benefits to completing a PAD, including that it enables proper care and may prevent involuntary treatment. Individuals can also share their PADs with their local hospitals, providers, and police departments, so their preference for care is clear and easy to prioritize. And when family members are kept up to date on an individual’s PAD, they can be better advocates for their loved one.
How can you complete a PAD?
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